NEWS
Ramirez Receives Lifetime Achievement Award for Mentorship
Dr. Julio Ramirez and his wife Annie Porges ’85, parents of a graduating senior, were all smiles at the 2019 Davidson College Commencement.
For almost four decades, Davidson College Prof. Julio Ramirez, R. Stuart Dickson Professor of Psychology and director of the neuroscience program, has helped to expand the understanding of how the central nervous system can recover from injury.
But the psychology professor recently received a 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Psychological Science for his dedication to his students.
Since joining the faculty in 1986, Ramirez has consistently involved his undergrad students in his research, giving them authentic lab experience that is traditionally only available to students at large universities. His mentorship has launched Davidson grads into leadership positions throughout healthcare and research facilities.
According to a recent profile of Ramirez, more than 150 of his students who worked in the “Ramirez Rat Lab” have gone on to work at top-tier institutions, such as Harvard University and the National Institutes of Health. Meanwhile, numerous undergraduate students have co-authored research posters and scientific papers with him at national and international conferences and in journals.
Ramirez has repeatedly defied expectations not only with his published findings, but by teaching undergraduates to do meaningful research at a college without graduate programs. (Chris Record photo)
The 2024 APS Mentor Award is one of the association’s highest honors.
“The Association for Psychological Science is pleased to recognize the scientific achievements of globally recognized scientists,” said APS Chief Executive Officer Robert Gropp. After reviewing outstanding nomination materials, “the APS awards committees have identified deserving recipients for the 2024 APS Lifetime Achievement Awards. These individuals have shaped and influenced research and mentoring.”